Solve the Immigration Crisis Now
June 28, 2019
by Maria S. Salinas
We have all seen and been horrified by the terrible images of the conditions of the migrant detention centers at the border. Similarly, recent announcement about pending immigration raids only serve to destabilize our communities, families and business. We can and must do more to improve our immigration system.
America is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but it also is the land of opportunity, innovation and prosperity. Since the very first days of this great nation, immigrants have come to our shores with their hearts full of love and their heads full of dreams. These dreams turned into a reality as immigrants built businesses, developed industries and invented groundbreaking technologies. Indeed, “America was built by dreamers” and we call upon Members of Congress to pass immigrant-friendly policies that protect our borders, but more importantly reflect the compassion and integrity of our region and country.
Many immigrants and Dreamers have lived in our communities for decades and are inextricably woven into the fabric of our lives. Dreamers attend our schools, own businesses, teach our children, take care of our elderly and contribute to the arts.
We stand with the more than 800 business leaders, including the CEOs of Apple, Facebook, Google, and Wells Fargo, who urged the Trump Administration in 2017 not to rescind DACA because they understood the objective reality: Immigrants are an important part of the American economic engine.
These immigrant populations are a vital piece of our economy. According to the New American Economy, Dreamers and TPS holders have $25 billion in spending power and paid $5.5 billion in taxes in 2017 alone. In California, DACA-eligible workers earn almost $5 billion a year, pay $380.4 million in state and local taxes, and hold $4.16 billion in spending power. Our whole economy relies on their earnings and tax contributions, and virtually every business would be worse off without them.
We urge Congress to act swiftly and compassionately. Solve the immigration crisis now.
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